We received more photo entries for the Water Photo Contest than any other! Isn’t that cool! There were at least a few hundred images!! Way more than I realized. (thank you Brian for buying me another day with your poetry–isn’t his poetry amazing!)

Before I say anything about the Five Finalists, I think we need to start this post with a quick tribute to the “Man of Water” these last couple weeks. Boy, did he ever clean house at the Olympics!

His relationship and understanding of water must be amazing.

As Brian and I looked through every image submitted, we saw the deep connection that humanity shares with water. We believe the Five Finalists are a great representation of how water inspires us, calms us, refreshes us, makes us laugh and then takes us to a whole different world. Whether water brings peace to your soul, relief from the heat, joy, or surprise…one thing is certain, water is powerful

The first finalist captured so much in her single image. It’s the type of photo you could write a hundred stories around.

Finalist #1, Where a Creek Meets the Ocean, by Heather.

This image is amazing! Not only is the water and landscape beautiful, but it shows us how power and quietness in water can coexist. You can almost hear the waves crashing onto the beach. But then to come from behind the waves and see the water bringing quiet, slow shape to the sand, it’s a movement that is almost healing. Over the years, I’ve prayed that God would wash over me with His gentle, forming waters. Smoothing my rough edges, shaping me with gentleness. All the while knowing His power is real and able to crash down upon me, yet knowing His love is soothing and gentle. Heather submitted this photo and put a short note with it saying that she captured this on their vacation. That’s about all she said. But isn’t it amazing how much meaning an image can have to another person? Thank you Heather! This image is amazing and full of story! I hope I haven’t offended you with my thoughts on it. Your image just brings up so much emotion and life. Thank you for sharing it with us.

The next finalist caused me to do a double take, then a triple take, then a “Brian, come see this. How did she do this?”

Finalist #2, Dancing on Water, by Kirsten.

Kirsten, how did you take this image? We can’t figure it out! Amazing! Can you see why this is a finalist? The image was so unusual in how she shot up into the feet. The composition is also beautiful in how Kirsten implemented the thirds principle with the feet being in the far left third of the image. (If you are unfamiliar with the Thirds Principle, we teach it here.) And don’t you absolutely love the blur in the image. Sometimes I’m to quick to delete a blurred image. But for this image, the blur of the feet and water work so well. The blur gives us a feeling, again you can almost hear it, of the rush of water around the dancing feet. Can you hear the feet splashing? I can even hear a girl giggling. This another story provoking image that gives us a wonderful gift. It makes me want to sit down and free write a story about this dancing girl. It allows any viewer to fill in the blanks and let the imagination run wild. To be able to capture this in a 1 dimensional image is incredibly tough. I think Kirsten has pulled it off beautifully! And I checked out Kirsten’s blog last night. So cute! You must see it! Thank you so much for submitting Kirsten!

If we are thinking of the Five Senses, and the last two images have touched on Sound with crashing waves and splashing, dancing feet. Then Finalist #3 evokes one of the Smells water can have!

Finalist #3, Wet Dog, by Ali

The detail in this image is fantastic! When you have it big on your screen, you can see every single water drop outlined. And doesn’t this image just make you smile! I can literally smell this wet dog and hear the boy giggling. Now that we have our own puppy, Rosie, the bathing thing has become more and more familiar in how you smell when it’s over. ;)

Ali shared in her email how she used our advice from the DVD series by setting this scene up. She had the kids suited up for giving their English Mastiff, Sam, a bath. Then she shot away as the experience unfolded in front of her. I have to commend Ali for setting up the scene. Sometimes our best shots of the kids and clients come from Scene Setting and Photo Coaching. It doesn’t always have to be pure photo journalism. It’s more than okay to set yourself up for success! From a technical standpoint, Ali did a great job using a fast Shutter Speed. The quick shutter speed and an aperture on the higher end, helps you grab all the detail of the water spraying. The dog’s face is blurred, but it works. It’s more important that we see the dog’s face in a blurred motion and feel the water spraying everywhere. And we can’t forget to comment on the little boy’s face! It’s the perfect mix of shock and delight! Way to go Ali! Way to set up the scene and grab authentic, in the moment shots!

We received a number of pool photos. But there was one that jumped out from all the rest.

Finalist #4, Summer Reunion, by Deene Souza!

This image makes me laugh!! I LOVE it!! I can’t get over the different expressions on all four kids! Look at the sweetie on top, isn’t she priceless! Then the guy on the bottom, his expression says it all from “being on the bottom” of the totem pole. Deene, you did an amazing job catching this image! It’s incredible! It sums up all the joy I remember from being a kid and swimming on hot summer afternoons.

I also want to point out a few other things I admire about this image. It looks like Deene shot this in bright sun. Getting the right exposure can be tough in bright sun. But she did an amazing job! All the faces are exposed well, no one is super bright or super dark. The color of the blue water and the green plants behind are rich and vibrant. Not only is their incredible humor and life in this image, but the elements of exposure and color are done well too! Great job Deene! And by the way, your blog is fantastic! I love your blog header with the dog–hilarious! I know your going to submit something for the Pet Photo Contest!

Ready for the last Finalist? Finalist #5? This is an image that you won’t forget.

Finalist #5, Millennium Park, by Amber.

I was speechless when I opened up this image. Doesn’t the composition just grab you? It evokes so many different, conflicting emotions that I don’t know which ones to follow first. Is the little girl sad, peaceful, tired, hungry? (See what I mean!) Where is the little girl? Amber has done such a great job with her composition that the little girl feels out of time and place. Amber’s framed the sand and water to give this overall circular feel to the image, you feel the girl surrounded and wrapped–safe and out of time. Amber’s email says, “This image is of my friend’s daughter, from when we had a play date at the park. What I love about the photo is that you would never imagine that there are thousands of people, mainly kids, running right around her…” Doesn’t that bit of knowledge enhance the image even more? I mean, talk about catching a child in a moment. :) I love this moment! But it’s not just the child she’s captured. I feel like the water is the other main character in the image. It’s murky, and yet silky smooth on the little girl’s legs. The sun flare in the bottom is well placed too. How does the sun flare add to this image for you? I can think a few different things, but what are your thoughts? Amber has her own blog too! Make sure you check it out. I looked through it a little bit and read that she’s in photography school. But what strikes me most is her eye for composition. Beautiful work Amber! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!

Prizes for the Winner and the Random Voter Winners!!______________________________________________________________________________________

There you have it!! How is that for Five Amazing Finalists! The subject of Water inspired some amazing images.

I want to thank ALL of you for entering your images. I had so much fun seeing your work and reading your stories. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much looking through the Water Photo submissions. There were so many great, fun shots that you captured. Thank you for sharing them with us! So many of you have bought the DVDs and said the most wonderful things about what you’ve learned from them. Thank you so much! Even if you weren’t a finalist in this contest, I hope that you keep shooting, keep submitting and keep loving all that your learning.

But don’t forget to vote before you leave! You could be picked as a Random Voter and win a gift card to Starbucks or a copy of Adobe’s Lightroom! :) Yep, that’s right! You heard me say it correct!

In our last photo contest, we had 356 voters! If we clear 400 votes on this contest, we are going to pick a Random Voter (not necessarily #400, but a RANDOM Voter) to win a copy of Adobe’s Lightroom software too!! And then we’ll keep going and pick two more Random Voters who win a $25 customized, cool looking Starbucks card!

Deadline for all voting is this Tuesday night at midnight PST!! That means we have to clear 400 votes by that time!

The winner of the Five Finalists will also win a copy of Adobe’s Lightroom Software!

So cast your votes and lets give some Lightroom Software away!

Question: How do you vote?

Answer: Just click on the pink word “Comments” at the end of this blog post, and then post a comment that says which of the Five Finalists you vote for. And add few words about why you like their image the most. Remember, your comments and feedback give to the Five Finalists more than any prize from us. Please be kind, encouraging, and share all that you can with these wonderful Five Finalists! Your feedback on their images is priceless! That’s why we do the Random Voter Awards, because we appreciate your voting and feedback so much. So spread the word to family and friends! And ask them to vote!

Next Question: What is the theme for August’s Photo Contest? And when is the Deadline?

Answer: The theme is Pets. You must send an image of your pet that shows us their personality. Deadline is at midnight, the last day of August! Send your images to contest@merakoh.com.

Last Question: What is the Workshop Combo going to be for December 6th and 7th 2008?

Answer: We’re going to spill the beans tomorrow! If you haven’t voted yet on what workshop combo you want, make sure you do today! Go here to vote on the workshop stuff!

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